Your liver – why is it exceptional and how does it work?

The liver is an extremely important organ of our body. It is constantly active, playing an important role in many vital processes. ^1,2 Everything we eat and drink is processed by the liver. The liver is both the largest solid organ as well as the largest gland in your body,¹ and its high regeneration ability makes it absolutely unique. ³

THE LIVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 500 FUNCTIONS

Where is the liver situated?

The liver is situated on the right side of your body – in the upper part of the abdominal cavity, and more precisely below the ribs that act as a protective layer for its soft tissue.² In an adult person, the liver weighs about 1.5 kg on average.^1,4

What does your liver do for you?

The liver is an organ that takes part in almost all metabolic processes during which it transforms sugars, fats, proteins, hormones, nutrients, medicines and toxins.³

The liver plays many very important functions in the human body:

Detoxification

It neutralizes different toxins (e.g. alcohol, ammonia)^1.3

Digestion

It produces bile necessary for the breakdown of fats^1,3

Vitamin storage

It accumulates reserves of vitamins (A, D3, B2, B3, B4, B12, K) and iron^1,3

Protein and fat metabolism ^1,3

It produces proteins that are necessary for blood clotting and converts proteins and sugars to fats

A source of energy

It stores glycogen (a polysaccharide) that plays the role of an energy storing material for the body²

Thermoregulation

It participates in regulation of the body temperature by warming the blood that flows through it. ²

Does the liver hurt?

There is a lot of confusion around this question. To start with, one basic issue should be explained – the liver does not hurt. It is an organ whose parenchyma is not innervated (contains no nerves) and thus does not generate pain.⁵

The symptoms that we feel as “liver pain”, often described as “stinging in the liver” or “pain in the liver area”, are a consequence of enlargement of this organ. The enlarging liver stretches the capsule that possesses sensory innervation. ⁵ This organ becomes enlarged when it is ill.

The liver does not always generate pain if hurt or damaged

How to take care of your liver?

By caring about the liver and its normal functioning, we support many important processes that have an effect on our health. To learn how you can take care of your liver, read other articles on our website.

Start caring for your liver today with Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P).

Choose the right pack size to fit your needs and find about the differences between Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P). 50s and Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P). 10s

Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P) 10s

CLINICAL PARTICULARS
Indications
Nutritional support in the management of damaged liver (due to chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver & intoxication by hepatotoxic substances). Each hard gelatin capsule contains: De-oiled enriched phospholipids from soya-beans …………… 300 mg

Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P) 50s

How does the liver regenerate?

The liver is a unique organ with the ability to self-regenerate. Find more about the threats to your liver and how it can regenerate

Facts and myths about the liver

An overview of facts and myths about the liver and its functioning.

Sawicki W. Histologia. Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL. Warszawa 2005: 430–431, 434–438.
Maśliński S, Ryżewski J. Patofizjologia. Revised edition 4. 2009: 796–808.
Juszczyk J. Wątroba – budowa i funkcje. http://gastrologia.mp.pl/choroby/watroba/show.html?id=50948 – accessed on: 19/04/2021.
Sylwanowicz W. Anatomia człowieka. Edition 3, Warszawa 1978: 332–338.
Hartleb M. Budowa i czynność wątroby; Wielka Interna; podyplomie.pl https://podyplomie.pl/wiedza/wielka-interna/776,budowa-i-czynnosc-watroby accessed on: 28/04/2021

Your liver – why is it exceptional and how does it work?

THE LIVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 500 FUNCTIONS

Where is the liver situated?